About 8 years ago work started in the European standardization organization (CEN) to create prediction models for several acoustic aspects in building: airborne sound transmission, impact sound transmission, facade sound transmission, facade sound radiation, and the noise caused by technical equipment. The main aim is to provide the link between the acoustic performance of products and elements, as measured by standardized laboratory measurement methods, and the performance in the realized buildings. So far the prediction models for the first four aspects are (almost) finished. The work on the part concerning equipment noise has yet to start, handicapped as it is by a lack of available knowledge in this area. The chosen approach for the models on airborne and impact sound transmission applies separate independent transmission paths between rooms, which can be shown to be a first-order estimation of a SEA approach. For these models a new quantity has been introduced to characterize the structure-borne sound transmission at junctions of building elements. Further work is focusing on the description of measurement methods to determine this quantity and on verification of the models in order to indicate more precisely their reliability in predicting the acoustic performance of buildings.
There is strong interest in being able to predict the apparent sound insulation in completed constructions so that the suitability of the construction details and materials may be assessed at the design stage. Methods do exist that provide estimates of the apparent sound insulation. An example of which is SEA. However, this method is likely too complex to be suitable for most practitioners and consultants as it relies heavily on the user to model the transmission mechanisms from first principles. Thus, from a practitioner's point of view, a model that makes use of commonly available data for the acoustic performance of building products and elements-as measured by standardised laboratory measurement methods ISO 140-and relates this to the acoustic performance in the completed buildings would be more useful. In response to this, CEN has started to create prediction models for several acoustic aspects in buildings beginning with separate models for the apparent airborne sound insulation and the apparent impact sound insulation. Practical models that allow the prediction of the sound reduction of the individual flanking paths in heavy monolithic constructions are now available (EN 12354-1 for the apparent airborne sound insulation and EN 12354-2 for the apparent impact sound insulation). A new quantity has been introduced in these models to characterise the structure-borne sound transmission at junctions of building elements. Work is now focusing on reliable input data to these models, describing measurement methods to determine the junction quantity, extending application to constructions that are not heavy and monolithic, and verifying the accuracy of the models. Further work is concentrating on models for other aspects such as facade sound transmission from outside to inside and vice-versa and the sound levels caused by mechanical equipment in buildings. This paper provides an overview of prediction models in building acoustics as an introduction to the special session at the Forum Acusticum 1999 in Berlin.
The airborne and impact sound reduction of building elements are important quantities to compare the acoustic performance of products and to apply as input for prediction models for the acoustic performance of buildings. Besides using existing measurement methods, it is very useful to have the disposal of calculation models to predict these quantities for various types of elements from data on the design and materials used. Such models provide a quick and easy way to estimate the effect of changes in an element and to check for anomalies in measurement results. For homogeneous elements calculation models are given in an annex to EN 12354-1&2. These models will be discussed and possible extensions to layered, stiffened and double elements will be indicated. Such detailed models are used to give examples of acoustic behaviour of elements and estimations for single number ratings.
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